Collapsible Enclosure

ABSTRACT

A collapsible enclosure which is easily transitioned between a collapsed position for storage and an extended position for use. The collapsible enclosure generally includes a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall which are each split by a hinge such that they may be folded downwardly when the collapsible enclosure is in a collapsed position and extended upwardly when the collapsible enclosure is in an extended position. A roof is provided which includes a guide slot which guides corresponding guide pins on the side walls when the side walls are being transitioned between positions. The roof also includes pin receivers which engage with corresponding locking pins on the front and rear walls when the front and rear walls are extended. Securing members such as latches are provided to secure the roof against the lower portions of the walls when in the collapsed and expanded positions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND Field

Example embodiments in general relate to a collapsible enclosure which is easily transitioned between a collapsed state for storage and an expanded state for use.

Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Recreational enclosures are commonly utilized for a wide range of functionality, including for fish houses, trailers, hunting blinds, automotive-type toppers or box inserts, sheds, and the like. While existing recreational enclosures are useful for such purposes, they are often difficult to transport between various locations. In the case of fish houses which are often moved to different lakes or different locations on the same lake, this type of limitation can lead to undue hardship on the part of the owner of the enclosure. The inability to collapse existing enclosures into a collapsed state for transport may lead to a number of problems. First, increased wind resistance during transport can reduce fuel efficiency and increase time spent transferring between locations.

Existing recreational enclosures which are collapsible tend to be comprised of flexible materials which are folded down for transport. While this functionality may aid in transport, it can result in limited or no insulation on the portions of the enclosure which are flexible so that they may be collapsed. In colder environments, this limitation may require the use of additional heating that can waste energy or the requirement that occupants wear bulky, warm clothing to keep warm when in the enclosure.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment is directed to a collapsible enclosure. The collapsible enclosure includes a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall which are each split by a hinge such that they may be folded downwardly when the collapsible enclosure is in a collapsed position and extended upwardly when the collapsible enclosure is in an extended position. A roof is provided which includes a guide slot which guides corresponding guide pins on the side walls when the side walls are being transitioned between positions. The roof also includes pin receivers which engage with corresponding locking pins on the front and rear walls when the front and rear walls are extended. Securing members such as latches are provided to secure the roof against the lower portions of the walls when in the collapsed position.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the embodiments of the collapsible enclosure in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional embodiments of the collapsible enclosure that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the collapsible enclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the collapsible enclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The collapsible enclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference characters, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a collapsible enclosure in a collapsed state in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a lower perspective view of a collapsible enclosure with the roof unclipped from the base in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a lower perspective view of a collapsible enclosure with the roof being lifted from the base in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an upper perspective embodiment of the rear wall of a collapsible enclosure being rotated into position in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an upper perspective embodiment of the front wall of a collapsible enclosure being rotated into position in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a frontal upper perspective view of a collapsible enclosure in an expanded state in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a rear upper perspective view of a collapsible enclosure in an expanded state in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a rear upper perspective view of the rear wall of a collapsible enclosure being rotated downwardly in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a rear upper perspective view of the front wall of a collapsible enclosure being rotated downwardly in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a rear lower perspective view of a roof being lowered into position of a collapsible enclosure in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a frontal lower perspective view of a roof being lowered into position of a collapsible enclosure in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an expanded collapsible enclosure positioned on a trailer in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a collapsed collapsible enclosure positioned on a trailer in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a first sectional view of a collapsible enclosure in an expanded state in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a second sectional view of a collapsible enclosure in an expanded state in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a front sectional view of a collapsible enclosure being transitioned between states in accordance with an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Overview.

An example collapsible enclosure 10 generally comprises a front wall 20, a rear wall 30, a first side wall 40, a second side wall 50, a floor 60, and a roof 70. The front wall 20 comprises an upper portion 22 which is hingedly connected to a lower portion 23 such that the upper portion 22 may fold down onto the lower portion 23 for transport. The rear wall 30 comprises an upper portion 32 which is hingedly connected to a lower portion 33 such that the upper portion 32 may be folded down onto the lower portion 33 for transport. The first and second side walls 40, 50 similarly comprise upper portions 42, 52 which are hingedly connected to lower portions 43, 53 such that the upper portions 42, 52 may be folded down for transport.

In this manner, the collapsible enclosure 10 may be transitioned between a collapsed state in which the upper portions 22, 32, 42, 52 of the walls 20, 30, 40, 50 may be folded downwardly for transport and an expanded state in which the upper portions 22, 32, 42, 52 of the walls 20, 30, 40, 50 may be extended upwardly to form the complete collapsible enclosure 10. The collapsible enclosure 10 may be collapsed into its collapsed state for transport and then expanded into its expanded state for use at a desired location.

It should be appreciated that the methods and systems described herein may be utilized for a wide range of types of collapsible enclosures 10. By way of example and without limitation, the collapsible enclosure 10 may be utilized as a fish houses, trailers, hunting blinds, automotive-type toppers or box inserts, sheds, and the like, or any other type of transportable enclosure. The collapsible enclosure 10 may also be movable via trailer 12 such as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13; which illustrate a trailer 12 having wheels 13 and a trailer hitch 14 for connecting to a towing vehicle.

B. Front and Rear Walls.

As shown throughout the figures, the collapsible enclosure 10 comprises a front wall 20 and a rear wall 30 which are each partially collapsible for transport via use of hinges 28, 38. The front and rear walls 20, 30 may be rigid and insulated in some embodiments.

The front wall 20 may comprise an upper portion 22 which is hingedly connected to a lower portion 23 via a hinge 28 such that the front wall 20 may be rotated downwardly into a collapsed position in which its upper portion 22 is folded against the lower portion 23. The upper portion 22 of the front wall 20 is preferably freely rotatable with respect to the lower portion 23 such that the upper portion 22 may easily be transitioned between an expanded state and a collapsed state in which it rests against the lower portion 23 of the front wall 20.

The upper end of the upper portion 22 of the front wall 20 may include locking pins 24 which are adapted to engage with corresponding pin receivers 75 on the roof 70 to secure the upper portion 22 of the front wall 20 against the roof 70 when in its expanded state such as shown in FIG. 6. The location, orientation, shape, size, and configuration of the locking pins 24 of the upper portion 22 of the front wall 20 may vary in different embodiments and should not be construed as limited by the exemplary figures.

The front wall 20 may also include a door 25 to provide access to the interior of the collapsible enclosure 10 when in its expanded state. The positioning of the door 25 may vary in different embodiments. For example, the door 25 could be positioned on either of the side walls 40, 50 in some embodiments. As shown in the figures, the door 25 may be bifurcated between the upper and lower portions 22, 23 of the front wall 20 such that the door 25 folds with the upper portions 22 when it is lowered into its collapsed state.

The front wall 20 may also include windows 26 to allow a view of the exterior of the collapsible enclosure 10 while inside. The shape, size, positioning, and orientation of the windows 26 may vary and should not be construed as limited by the exemplary figures. The windows 26 may be positioned on the upper portion 22 of the front wall 20 as shown in the figures, or may be positioned on the lower portion 23 of the front wall 20. Alternatively, the windows 26 may be bifurcated between the upper and lower portions 22, 23 of the front wall 20 similar to the door 25 shown in the figures.

Similarly, the upper portion 32 of the rear wall 30 is preferably freely rotatable with respect to the lower portion 33 such that the lower portion 32 may easily be transitioned between an expanded state and a collapsed state in which it rests against the lower portion 33 of the rear wall 30. The upper end of the upper portion 32 of the rear wall 30 may include locking pins 34 which are adapted to engage with corresponding pin receivers 75 on the roof 70 to secure the upper portion 32 of the rear wall 30 against the roof 70 when in its expanded state such as shown in FIG. 6. The location, orientation, shape, size, and configuration of the locking pins 34 of the upper portion 32 of the rear wall 30 may vary in different embodiments and should not be construed as limited by the exemplary figures.

The rear wall 30 may also include windows 36 to allow a view of the exterior of the collapsible enclosure 10 while inside. The shape, size, positioning, and orientation of the windows 36 may vary and should not be construed as limited by the exemplary figures. The windows 36 may be positioned on the upper portion 32 of the rear wall 30 as shown in the figures, or may be positioned on the lower portion 33 of the rear wall 30. Alternatively, the windows 36 may be bifurcated between the upper and lower portions 32, 33 of the rear wall 30 similar to the door 25 shown in the figures.

C. Side Walls.

As shown throughout the figures, the collapsible enclosure 10 may include a pair of side walls 40, 50 which, in connection with the front and rear walls 20, 30 form the outer perimeter of the collapsible enclosure 10. The first and second side walls 40, 50 may be rigid and insulated in some embodiments. The first and second side walls 40, 50 are each foldable via use of a hinge 46, 56 such that the side walls 40, 50 may collapse downwardly. In the exemplary figures, the side walls 40, 50 are illustrated to collapse down into a horizontal or semi-horizontal position in the collapsed state. Each of the side walls 40, 50 is connected to the roof 70 such that, when the roof is raised or lowered, the side walls 40, 50 are expanded or collapsed.

The first side wall 40 comprises an upper portion 42 which is hingedly connected to a lower portion 43 via a hinge 46. The upper end of the first side wall 40 is connected to the roof 70 via a guide pin 44 which slides within a guide slot 72 on the roof 70 when the first side wall 40 is being raised or lowered. In a preferred embodiment as shown in the figures, each respective side of the first side wall 40 includes a guide pin 44 at its upper end which interconnects with the guide slots 72 of the roof 70.

The second side wall 50 similarly comprises an upper portion 52 which is hingedly connected to a lower portion 53 via a hinge 56. The upper end of the second side wall 50 is connected to the roof 70 via a guide pin 54 which slides within the guide slot 72 on the roof 70 when the second side wall 50 is being raised or lowered. In a preferred embodiment as shown in the figures, each respective side of the second side wall 50 includes a guide pin 54 at its upper end which interconnects with the guide slots 72 of the roof 70.

D. Floor.

As shown throughout the figures, the collapsible enclosure 10 may include a floor 60. The floor 60 may be rigid; with the lower portions 23, 33, 43, 53 of the walls 20, 30, 40, 50 being fixedly secured to the floor 60 such that the lower portions 23, 33, 43, 53 are not rotatable or movable with respect to the floor 60. In some embodiments, the floor 60 may include a raised central portion to form two outer skids to aid in movement across icy surfaces. The floor 60 may also include ice fishing holes and covers to allow for ice fishing through the floor 60 in embodiments adapted for ice fishing.

E. Roof.

As shown throughout the figures, the collapsible enclosure 10 may include a roof 70 which is vertically movable between a raised position when the collapsible enclosure 10 is expanded and a lowered position when the collapsible enclosure 10 is collapsed. When in its collapsed state, the roof 70 is secured against the lower portions 23, 33, 43, 53 of the walls 20, 30, 40, 50 as shown in FIG. 1.

The roof 70 may include a pair of guide slots 72 as shown in the figures. The guide slots 72 are adapted to receive and guide the guide pins 44, 54 of the side walls 40, 50 as the side walls 40, 50 are being expanded or collapsed. In a preferred embodiment as shown in the figures, the roof 70 includes a first guide slot 72 for the guide pins 44 of the first side wall 40 and a second guide slot 72 for the guide pins 54 of the second side wall 50.

The guide slot 72 will generally comprise an elongated, straight slot which includes a catch portion 73 at each of its outer ends. The catch portion 73 may extend perpendicularly with respect to the guide slot 72 to form an L-shape. The catch portion 73 preferably extends upwardly such that the guide pins 44, 54 engage into the catch portion 73 when the side walls 40, 50 are being secured in their raised states. The roof 70 may be lifted upwardly to release the guide pins 44, 54 from the catch portion 73 when the side walls 40, 50 are being lowered.

The roof 70 may also include pin receivers 75 adapted to removably engage with corresponding guide pins 44, 54 on the side walls 40, 50. The pin receivers 75 will generally comprise openings on the lower end of the roof 70 into which the guide pins 44, 54 may be removably inserted when the collapsible enclosure 10 is in its expanded state. The positioning and number of pin receivers 75 may vary in different embodiments and should not be construed as limited by the exemplary figures.

The roof 70 may also include securing members 77 as shown throughout the figures which secure the roof 70 against the lower portions 23, 33, 43, 53 of the walls 20, 30, 40, 50 when the collapsible enclosure 10 is in its collapsed state. Some or all of the securing members 77 may also be utilized to secure the roof 70 against the upper portions 22, 32, 42, 52 of the walls 20, 30, 40, 50 when the collapsible enclosure 10 is in its expanded state. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate securing members 77 on the front and rear walls 20, 30 being engaged; with the remaining securing members 77 being disengaged. Other configurations or combinations may be utilized. The securing members 77 may comprise clips, straps, brackets, or the like which engage with the lower portions 23, 33, 43, 53 of the walls 20, 30, 40, 50 when in the collapsed state.

The figures illustrate corresponding catch members 78 positioned on the front and rear walls 20, 30 which are adapted to removably engage with corresponding securing members 77 on the front and rear ends of the roof 70. It should be appreciated that various other configurations may be utilized, and thus this exemplary configuration should not be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

F. Operation of Preferred Embodiment.

In use, the collapsible enclosure 10 will generally be in its collapsed state during transport. Upon reaching a location to expand the collapsible enclosure 10 for use, the securing members 77 extending from the roof are first disengaged from their corresponding catch members 78 on the front and rear walls 20, 30. In the exemplary figures, the securing members 77 are shown as comprising latches which may be released.

With the securing members 77 released, the roof 70 may be lifted upwardly from any portion on the roof 70. As the roof 70 is lifted upwardly, the side walls 40, 50 will move from their horizontal stowed position to a near vertical position. The side walls 40, 50 may be grasped and pushed into a full vertical position which will engage the guide pins 44, 54 within the catch portions 73 of the guide slots 72 of the roof 70 to secure the side walls 40, 50 in their vertical, extended position.

With the side walls 40, 50 fully extended and secured to the roof 70, the front and rear walls 20, 30 may be rotated upwardly into a vertical extended position. The roof 70 may be lifted slightly to allow for the locking pins 24, 34 of the front and rear walls 20, 30 to engage within the pin receivers 75 of the roof 70 to secure the front and rear walls 20, 30 in their extended state. If necessary, additional clips, straps, or the like may be secured between the walls 20, 30, 40, 50 and the roof 60 for additional structural integrity. The collapsible enclosure 10 will now be in its extended state and ready for use.

To take down the collapsible enclosure 10, the roof 70 may be lifted upwardly to disengage the locking pins 24, 34 from the pin receiver 70 so that the front and rear walls 20, 30 may be rotated downwardly into their folded state. The side walls 40, 50 may be slid such that the guide pins 44, 54 disengage from the catch portion 73 and follow the guide slots 72 as the side walls 40, 50 are folded down into their horizontal, stowed position. The roof 70 may then be lowered onto the upper portions 22, 32, 42, 52 of the walls 20, 30, 40, 50 and the securing members 77 engaged with the catch members 78 to secure the collapsible enclosure 10 in its collapsed state.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the collapsible enclosure, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The collapsible enclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible enclosure, comprising: a floor; a front wall comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion of the front wall is fixedly connected to the floor, wherein the upper portion of the front wall is rotatably connected to the lower portion of the front wall; a rear wall comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion of the rear wall is fixedly connected to the floor, wherein the upper portion of the rear wall is rotatably connected to the lower portion of the rear wall; a first side wall comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion of the first side wall is fixedly connected to the floor, wherein the upper portion of the first side wall is rotatably connected to the lower portion of the first side wall; a second side wall comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion of the second side wall is fixedly connected to the floor, wherein the upper portion of the second side wall is rotatably connected to the lower portion of the second side wall; and a root wherein the roof is adapted to be connected to the upper portion of the front wall, the upper portion of the rear wall, the upper portion of the first side wall, and the upper portion of the second side wall when the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall are in an extended position; wherein the roof is adapted to be connected to the lower portion of the front wall, the lower portion of the rear wall, the lower portion of the first side wall, and the lower portion of the second side wall when the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall are in a collapsed position.
 2. The collapsible enclosure of claim 1, wherein the front wall comprises a first hinge connecting the upper portion of the front wall with the lower portion of the front wall.
 3. The collapsible enclosure of claim 2, wherein the rear wall comprises a second hinge connecting the upper portion of the rear wall with the lower portion of the rear wall.
 4. The collapsible enclosure of claim 3, wherein the first side wall comprises a third hinge connecting the upper portion of the first side wall with the lower portion of the first side wall.
 5. The collapsible enclosure of claim 4, wherein the second side wall comprises a fourth hinge connecting the upper portion of the second side wall with the lower portion of the second side wall.
 6. The collapsible enclosure of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the front wall rests against the lower portion of the front wall when the front wall is in the collapsed position.
 7. The collapsible enclosure of claim 6, wherein the upper portion of the rear wall rests against the lower portion of the rear wall when the rear wall is in the collapsed position.
 8. The collapsible enclosure of claim 7, wherein the upper portion of the first side wall extends horizontally when the first side wall is in the collapsed position.
 9. The collapsible enclosure of claim 8, wherein the upper portion of the second side wall extends horizontally when the second side wall is in the collapsed position.
 10. The collapsible enclosure of claim 1, wherein first side wall comprises a first guide pin.
 11. The collapsible enclosure of claim 10, wherein the roof comprises a first guide slot in which the first guide pin is slidably secured.
 12. The collapsible enclosure of claim 11, wherein the first guide slot comprises a first catch portion.
 13. The collapsible enclosure of claim 12, wherein the first catch portion extends perpendicularly upward with respect to the first guide slot.
 14. The collapsible enclosure of claim 13, wherein the second side wall comprises a second guide pin and the roof comprises a second guide slot in which the second guide pin is slidably secured.
 15. The collapsible enclosure of claim 14, wherein the second guide slot comprises a second catch portion, wherein the second catch portion extends perpendicularly upward with respect to the second guide slot.
 16. The collapsible enclosure of claim 1, wherein the roof comprises a plurality of securing members for connecting the roof to the lower portion of the front wall and the lower portion of the rear wall when the front wall and the rear wall are in the collapsed position.
 17. The collapsible enclosure of claim 18, wherein the lower portion of the front wall and the lower portion of the rear wall each comprise a catch member for removably engaging with the securing members.
 18. The collapsible enclosure of claim 1, wherein the front wall comprises a door extending between the lower portion and the upper portion of the front wall.
 19. The collapsible enclosure of claim 1, wherein the rear wall comprises one or more windows.
 20. The collapsible enclosure of claim 1, wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall each comprise a rigid material. 